Ceremony at Rice University naturalizes 1,200 immigrants

Hurricane Ike disrupted the planned ceremony, but these 1200 people were able to be sworn in, just in time to register to vote. DP

KHOU.com staff report

KHOU.com: HOUSTON -- The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas held an immigration ceremony at Rice University's stadium on Saturday for more than 1,200 immigrants whose September 24 naturalization service was disrupted by Hurricane Ike.

"This is normal Houston friendliness and cooperation," said U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes. "With the help of Rice University and the Immigration Service, the court will welcome these new citizens in time for their first vote to be in November."

The league of women voters organized an on-the-spot voter registration service at the event to give the new citizens’ opportunity to vote in the November election. The deadline to register is Monday.

Hurricane Ike forced the cancellation of the September ceremony when it caused extensive damage, both to immigration service offices and to many of the Houston venues previously used for naturalization ceremonies.